Madagascar fires foreign minister following UN vote condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian regions

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina fired Tuesday the country’s top diplomat Richard Randriamandranto in connection with the UN vote last week condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian regions.

A decree signed by the President and the Prime Minister indicated that Defense Minister will take over the position in the interim.

Local media, citing unnamed sources in the presidential office, said that Randriamandranto is accused of treason after the mission of the African country at UN condemned during a UN vote Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

The UN general assembly resolution condemning the annexation was voted by 143 countries.

The vote by the African country is contrary to Antananarivo’s content position of neutrality on the Russia-Ukrainian conflict.

Randriamandranto was appointed foreign minister in March. Prior to his appointment, he held the position of Finance Minister from Jan. 2019 to August 2021.